2 policemen suspended for breach in Patnaik security

Two police officials have already taken the fall for a lapse in the security of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, whose motorcade was on Thursday mobbed by youth Congress activists.

The state government has, on the recommendation of Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjib Marik, placed under suspension two police officials here for the security breach. Additional Commissioner of Police Sk Sarifuddin is one of the suspended.

Patnaik was on his way to Vani Vihar, the campus of Utkal University here, to attend a function of the students’ union on Thursday evening.

Suddenly, a group of Congress activists suddenly tried to stop his motorcade from going further at Sachibalaya Marg, a major thoroughfare in the state capital. Eggs were also thrown at Patnaik’s vehicle.

The situation was brought under control after police reached the spot and dispersed the youth. Admitting a security breach, the DGP said he recommended action against the two officials after receiving reports from the Bhubaneswar city police commissioner and chief of the Intelligence Bureau.

“The chief minister’s security will be further strengthened and it is being reviewed,” he said. The issue rocked the state assembly on Saturday with opposition Congress legislators rushing to the well of the house to protest against the arrest of the activists in connection with the incident.